The City of Glasgow will once again be competing in the Clipper Round-the-World Yacht Race it was announced today.

The city took part in the same race in 2000, and the trade links and friendships, which were established over the 11 months of the event, are hard to beat.

This gruelling global contest, due to set sail from the UK in October 2002, will build upon the challenging and close racing that crews experienced as they followed a similar route round the world on the three successful previous Clipper races. Clipper 2002 will follow a predominately downwind route following the trade winds and passing through some of the classic yacht racing territories, stopping at cities in Europe and Asia, as well as North and South America.

Race organisers, Clipper Ventures Plc, the AIM listed marine events company, announced recently that Cape Town had become Clipper 2002's first international entry and the race has already attracted interest from other cities in the UK, with at least one city from Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales expected to take part.

Glasgow Clipper's crew enjoyed a popular reputation in The Times Clipper 2000 race and a consistent needle match between Leeds and Glasgow thrived throughout the eleven months of racing. Supporters of the Scottish entry will be eager to see Glasgow Clipper improve on their eighth position in the last Clipper race and to provide the crew with a fighting chance in the 2002 race, the hunt is now on for ten major corporate sponsors who wish to use this unique opportunity to billboard their business. A £25,000 sponsorship package buys prominent signage on the dynamic 60ft racing yacht and offers a host of media, marketing and promotional opportunities in the UK and overseas.

Later today on the banks of the Clyde, at the heart of Glasgow's seafaring traditions, the Lord Provost, Alex Mosson, along with Richard Cooper, Managing Director of Clipper Ventures Plc, will launch a competition to find three crewmembers to be sponsored by Glasgow City Council.

Commenting on today's announcement, the Lord Provost said, "This is a fantastic opportunity for the people of Glasgow to sail some of the most challenging oceans in the world. But one of the most exciting aspects is that this race is going to give Glaswegians the chance to get behind their team and their city as they compete against their rivals. I wish the crew every success in their training over the coming months and the race itself."

Richard Cooper added, "We are delighted that Glasgow is participating in the Clipper 2002 race. The challenge of the sea and elements, and its unique route, is what makes the Clipper 2002 race one of life's last real challenges in today's world and we are sure that Glasgow will rise to this once again."

Tom Burton (AUS) and Alison Young (GBR) hit the right note in the Laser and Laser Radial at ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne as they took out the top honours and qualification spots to the 2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup Final.

It was double Australian gold in the Paralympic classes. Matt Bugg (AUS) came out on top in the 2.4mR whilst London 2012 Paralympic SKUD18 gold medallists Dan Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch (AUS) were triumphant in the two person keelboat.

Lithuania's Juozas Bernotas came out on top in the Men's RS:X whilst Russia's Stefania Elfutina was triumphant in the Women's RS:X. Both sailors claim the first Abu Dhabi ISAF Sailing World Cup Final spots whilst Jock Calvert (AUS) and Joanna Sterling (AUS) picked up the Oceanic spots for the Emirati finale.

There was some fast paced action in the 49er and 49erFX Medal Races at ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne as Nathan Outteridge & Iain Jensen (AUS) and Maia & Ragna Agerup (NOR) claimed the honours and Abu Dhabi final spots.

A tight group of five young Papua New Guinean (PNG) Laser sailors are stepping up their 2015 Pacific Games competition program using this week's ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne. PNG is one of 33 countries represented at the important Oceanic event, the largest Olympic sailing regatta in the southern hemisphere.

Nicolai Sehested (DEN) and his TREFOR Match Racing Team clinched victory today at the Energa Sopot Match Race, Poland, the 10th stage and World Championship Event of the 2015 World Match Racing Tour (WMRT).

There was no stopping current, and five-time ISAF Match Racing World Champion Ian Williams (GBR), GAC Pindar today at the Energa Sopot Match Race as he swiftly dispatched his Quarter Final opponent Joachim Aschenbrenner (DEN) in three straight wins.

The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) continues to address concerns and is taking steps to ensure the health and safety of all athletes who will be competing in the upcoming Aquece Rio, Olympic Test Event and the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition.

Veteran Polish match racer and America's Cup helmsman Karol Jablonski skilfully played the gusty conditions today to lead the twelve strong field of teams at the end of Day 2 of Qualifying at the 2015 Energa Sopot Match Race.